Recognizing mental health problems through Facebook

Recognizing mental health problems through Facebook

If you were the sole witness to a troubled person peering over the edge of the Golden Gate Bridge, would you lunge to hold him back? How about if an acquaintance demonstrated self-destructive behavior or dropped suicidal thoughts on his Facebook status? What is a bystander to do when she is seated at a computer?

The latter questions were the focus of a recent ABCNews.com article, which told the story of a UC Berkeley student who overdosed after leaving many hints on Facebook of his steady drug and alcohol abuse. The student’s mother wishes she had been alerted sooner to his profile page, which foretold the tragedy of his irreparable brain damage, and others in the article weighed in on the importance of taking action in cases like this:

Aida Ingram, a youth counselor in Clayton, N.J., said it’s better to speak up than to assume the person is fine.

“It’s a shame for a whole community to watch a child spiral out of control, whether on Facebook or in the real world,” said Ingram, whose daughter will soon head to college. “The last thing you want is to go to someone’s funeral knowing you saw a worrying Facebook post and did nothing. I’d rather embarrass myself.”

Noting that up to 98 percent of U.S. college students use social networks such as Facebook, the article also explains how health experts believe we may be able to benefit from information shared on such sites:

“I think Facebook is a new window on an old problem,” said Dr. Megan Moreno, a pediatrician at UW Health in Madison, Wis. Moreno has been studying whether online posts can predict offline problems, from drug and alcohol abuse to depression. “I don’t think we can use Facebook to make a judgment, but we can use it as a trigger to ask more questions face-to-face.”

Disclosure

*Medicinezine.com is an informational website bringing you up to date news and reviews. We are an affiliate of some of the product companies we recommend. If you decide to purchase any products through any of our links, because of our recommendation, be it expressed or implied, we may receive a commission. Regardless, we only recommend products or services we believe will add value to our readers. Learn more about affiliate marketing here

Medications can be effective when they are used properly, but some can be addictive and dangerous when abused. This chart provides a brief look at some prescribed medications that—when used in ways or by people other than prescribed—have the potential for adverse medical consequences, including addiction. In 2010, approximately 16 million Americans reported using a […]

Saw palmetto Treatments
In men: used to treat and relieve symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH); shrinks the prostate and releases the squeeze of the urethra, so that, urine flows normally; increases urine volume, decreases frequent urination, and more ease of urination.
In women: helps relieve painful periods and regulates the menstrual cycle; stimulates the production of prolactin, a female hormone that promotes breast enlargement. Used to treat urinary tract and bladder infections; has an aphrodisiac effect by enhancing sexual functioning and sexual desire.

Actually, there is no reason to be embarrassed. Enlarged breasts are common among teenage boys and men, and breast reduction surgery is increasingly popular among guys. In fact, in the US it’s the fourth most popular cosmetic surgical procedure among males, with nearly 17,000 of them performed in 2009 alone.

Great news for all those women (and men) who have wanted to try the beautifying effects of snail slime but could never get past the “ick” factor. 20yrsyounger.com promises to get rid of the Ewww… while still letting women reap the anti-aging and rejuvenating benefits of snail slime cream. The process itself is called lyophilisation […]

The specific type of birth defect depends on the systems in the fetus developing at the time of alcohol exposure. Organ systems are most vulnerable to damage by alcohol during the period of most dynamic development. The damage seen in animal models roughly corresponds to weeks 3 to 8 in human pregnancy. However, if a woman drinks any time throughout her pregnancy, damage may occur.

Please be advised that this website is for information purposes only. It does not intend to advise on, treat, or diagnose any health condition. If you are ill, have been diagnosed with a medical condition, you have or think you might have a health problem, please visit your doctor for advice, diagnosis and treatment.